All dogs require a focal point to achieve correct heeling position. As I have Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, which are smaller dogs, I use my watch as my dogs’ focal point and I heel with my hands down, moving naturally as I walk.
If you have a non-traditional breed; it is important you pay extra attention to creating enthusiasm in order to have success in the ring. I achieve that through letting the dog figure out what it is I want and celebrating when they do; and by not overdoing corrections or pattern training. I use a word-based system. The dog is taught to understand each individual command’s meaning (rather than correct them constantly, I let them figure it out themselves). Dogs learn through their mistakes; but small dogs will shut right down if you constantly correct them.
There are many steps to teaching heeling and I always told my students to break down exercises into “parts”. The two main components are the command “heel” which means be by my side at my left leg if I am moving – or come and sit by my side if I am stationary – having the same command for moving or stationary makes it clear to the dog the position required – the other is the command “look” which means look at your focal point.
I have taught different dogs with either long strips of food pinched between my thumb and forefinger and my other three fingers folded up or used a zap tie to put the food on. As the pup grows; I start to move the focal point to my watch. I attach a long zap tie to the watch which gradually gets shorter and shorter. The focal point concept has to be reinforced throughout their career.
FIRST STEP IN TEACHING SMALL DOG HEELING:
In this first step you are teaching your dog two words – look and mine.
Heeling begins with you sitting in a chair (no, I’m not kidding). With the dog on a six-foot leash get them to sit facing you. Put the leash on the floor and step on it so if the dog tries to jump up toget the treat; they get a correction (they’re on flat collars, so no big deal).
You MUST use long strips of food or a treaton a stick or zap tie and IT MAY NOT BE HIDDEN!!! We do not want the dog to think your hand has any part in this exercise as they progress. The food is the focal point and it will be moved up to a zap tie on your watch when your dog is ready.
Prior to teaching heeling – or any food training, the first thing that must be taught is “mine”
Holding the strip between forefinger and thumb (with your other three fingers curled out of the way), point it straight down at the dog’s nose. Not too close to start with. If they jump to get it and you have your leash correctly placed under your foot they will get a pop. Be CALM while teaching this – hold the strip pointing down – tell the dog to“look”, “look”, “look” (calmly). Don’t ask for too much – mark with “yes” and change hand position and say “get it” to reward. The dog should stay sitting –you bring the food to them by bending your wrist to change hand position andtelling them “get it”
STARTING TO MOVE – BUT STILL NOT HEELING
Once the dog has food respect and watches the food it’s time to start moving and guess what; you’re going to go backwards. The word “look” is being taught at this stage.
Walk backward with long strip of treat held down in the left hand so dog’s head is held in line with body, and head is tilted up. Leash is held in the right hand, fairly taut so that if the dog attempts to take the food you can pull down while saying “mine” (don’t over correct or be aggressive – they are learning).
- Food is held in the left hand with two fingers ONLY (or on a stick/zap tie) and must be visible. NO hiding of food or the dog learns to watch your hand.
- Telling the dog to “look” walk backwards for a few steps. Keep repeating “look”
- If dog attempts to jump for food just tell them “mine” in a calm voice and raise it – don’t jerk it up, or guess what – they’ll jump for it!
- After dog has taken a few steps while watching the treat – give the marker word (yes) and give the treat. Have a party – throw a toy – have fun with your dog!
DOG LEARNING THE COMMAND
We use food to lure the dog into position while giving the command “heel” and mark the moment they get into position with the bridge word (yes). The food lure is held in your left hand and once you have given the bridge word and the dog holds position; you tell them “o.k, get it”. Hold your left hand steady on your pant seam as you bring the food down.
VOICE
If you want your dog to be an enthusiastic partner, you need to be an enthusiastic trainer! Make sure your voice is expressive – change the pitch according to how well your dog accomplished what you asked. Take time to play and praise and pat!
The following exercises are used throughout my dogs’ careers to keep it fun and keep them precise.
DOODLES:
If your dog has a “wait” step ahead of themand use food to lure dog into position while giving the command “heel” – markthe moment they get into position with the bridge word (yes). The food lure isheld in your left hand and once you have given the bridge word and the dogholds position; you tell them “o.k, get it”. Hold your left hand steady on yourpant seam as you freeze and bring the treat down. DO NOT move your hand infront of you as the dog must get the treat in the correct position.
UPSITS:
Have dog sitting and YOU get into heel position. Bring food down towards dog’s nose and step forward with your left foot saying“upsit, heel” (there are two parts to sit in heeling– they scoot up into heel position and they look). Mark and reward. Repeat – praise and be enthusiastic while teaching this. You are now teaching the scoot sit you will expect your dog to do while heeling.
QUARTER TURNS – LEFT AND RIGHT
Quarter turns should be fun – a game! Make sure YOU sound like it’s the best game ever!! Tell dog to sit – again YOU assume heel position. Say “heel” and use food to lure dog while making a 90 degree turn. You are actually teaching your dog left and right turns without having them lag. As they learn you increase speed and the complexity of the movement and of course reduce the rewards! And yes, all my Utility dogs did these games their whole lives.
CATCH UP HEELING:
Now that the dog understands the two commands needed to teach heeling – heel and look it’s time to start moving.
Leave your dog in a sit – go about three feet – turn your head to look at your dog and tease them up (yes, they will break in the beginning but anticipation is great) and then call out “heel” –mark as soon as they are sort of in position – reward and party. With a young dog I usually circle left or right. Gradually you can extend to heeling further – but it is especially important that they figure out that the word heel means fun and rewards. Don’t push them. Don’t start doing straight lineheeling until you know your dog thoroughly understands the command.
Keep your training sessions short, energetic and fun. Until your dog is getting close to the competition ring don’t worry too much about long heeling patterns. Occasional long patterns with no food lures and little talking will tell you where they’re at.
PRACTIC EXERCISES:
Here are some examples to help you come up with some fun training methods:
- Snakes and snails heeling is fun and helps train for the figure 8.
- Randomize – one step & reward / two steps left turn / fast forward from heel / heel backwards / six feet and reverse about turn / slow from heel / 360 right / 360 left / 270 right / 270 left / slow, fast, slow pace / left turn slow– use your imagination!
- Have dog in heel – tell them to wait; take one step to the right and then without looking at them tell them to heel. Use mirrors! (cheap at Walmart) Congratulate them and play lots
- Don’t have a sterile training area – place distractions such as toys, paper or food around and teach them to ignore it.
- Ask your dog to “heel” a couple of times during a walk.
About Maureen Murray
I got involved in competitive obedience in 1995 with our first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Barkley. I am currently trialing our 6th Cavalier, BISS GCH OTCH Moyola Legend’s Mini Me (Broker). Over those 29 years, obedience has become a large part of our lives – Gavin and I have made many friends; had a lot of fun and I’ve managed to complete 6 Utility titles.
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